Retention of Weighting on an Athletic Striker

ABSTRACT

Apparatus to add weight to an athletic ball striking bat, having a taper along the bat length, comprising in combination a sleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location, the sleeve having associated retention means to engage the bat at a zone along said taper to resist lengthwise removal of the sleeve off the bat during bat swinging, a weight or weights carried by the sleeve.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/610,501 filed Dec. 13,2006, now pending, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/761,132 filedJan. 20, 2004, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser.No. 10/262,734 filed Oct. 1, 2002, now abandoned, the specifications ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to swinging of ball strikers as, forexample, baseball bats. More specifically, it is related to the field ofpractice or warm-up swinging of such strikers or bats having weightadded to them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When athletes who handle ball strikers warm-up, or train, they commonlyuse two strikers, and swing them in unison a few times to loosenmuscles. Holding and swinging two strikers is awkward, uncomfortable,and does not achieve the right feel, needed as by gripping and swingingonly one striker but one striker does not achieve additional weight ascan be provided by two strikers. There is need to overcome this dilemma,in a simple, effective and efficient manner, as is now provided by thepresent invention. In a similar manner, there is need to provideimprovements in devices for adding weight to ball strikers such asbaseball bats, for example.

There is also need for a weight holding device that can be easilyattached to and removed from a bat and which positively and safelyretains the added weight to the bat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide a simple and effectivedevice or apparatus that meets the above need. Basically, the device isadapted for use in a ball striker or bat having a taper or taperedsurface, along its length, and includes:

a) a sleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location;

b) the sleeve having associated retention means to operatively engagethe bat in a zone along said taper to resist lengthwise removal of thesleeve off the bat during bat swinging,

c) a weight or weights carried by the sleeve.

As will be seen, the weight or weights are typically carried at alocation or locations proximate to the ball striking zone; and theretention means is spaced from the weight or weights, and has an arcuateinterior surface to arcuately engage the bat at arcuately spacedlocations.

It is a further object to enable bat reception through the sleeve, sothat the bat handle projects from the sleeve, the engaged zone of thebat typically located between the handle and weight or weights. Thelatter may be located in a pocket or pockets formed by or attached tothe sleeve.

An added object is to provide the retention means to include a retainerat the inner side of the sleeve, and which has an inner surface toengage the bat taper, such inner surface having a configuration definedby one of the following: i) generally cylindrical; ii) tapered,lengthwise of the sleeve.

A yet further object it to provide a first pulling device on the sleeveto enable manual pulling of the sleeve endwise along the bat duringclose fitting assembly of the sleeve to the bat. A second pulling devicemay be provided on the sleeve to enable manual pulling of the sleeveendwise along and off the bat. Such devices may comprise pullers such asloops projecting at the sleeve exterior.

Another object is to provide the weight or weights to comprise adeformable mass or masses of surface configuration, at or proximate thebat “Sweet spot”.

An added object is to provide a retainer having an inner surfacecharacterized by at least one of the following: i) conical shape; ii)tapered; iii) cylindrical; iv) consisting of metal; v) consisting ofnon-metal; vi) consisting of plastic.

Another aspect of the invention concerns provision of a method of use ofthe sleeve as described, in any of its forms, that includes: i)relatively advancing the sleeve in a first direction onto the bat toposition the associated retention means at or along the bat taper; ii)practice swinging the bat, iii) and subsequently relatively retractingthe sleeve off the bat in second direction opposite the first direction.

That method may include use of deformable weight or weights carried bythe sleeve in spaced relation to the retainer, as well as the step ofallowing said weight or weights to deform during bat swinging.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a batweight which includes free flowing weighted materials such as shot,steel balls, bead, beans and sand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bat weightwhich can accommodate a plurality of bats having a plurality of widthsand diameters.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, in which;

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front side elevation showing an elongated sleeve-typereceptacle receiving a ball striker such as a baseball bat;

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1 showing a modification;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of two types of retainers usable in thesleeve of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1, showing another modification;

FIGS. 6-9 are three-dimensional views of further modifications;

FIG. 10 is a section taken through a modification having inner, outerand intermediate sleeve construction;

FIG. 11 is a section taken through a modification having inner and outersleeve construction;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views of modifications having different weightposition;

FIG. 14 is a section taken through a sleeve assembled to a bat, andshowing retainer and weight positioning;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the retainer seen in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a modified retainer of the type shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view like FIG. 15, but showing a conical retainer; and

FIG. 18 is a view showing a modified form of sleeve attachment retainersand

FIG. 19 is a view of a modified sleeve, retainer and weight structure;

FIGS. 20-27 show modification; and

FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 are sections taken on lines 28-28, 29-29 and 30-30in FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 a is the complete embodiment of FIG. 32.

FIGS. 33 a to 33 e illustrates the method steps of making the implement.of the present invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates the present invention including the addition of softdonut shaped weights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an athletic ball striker, in the form of a bat 10has a surface taper along its length, in region 11. That taper may hedefined by a conical section of the bat, between handle 10 a, and thebat sweet spot or region 10 b. The forward end of the bat is seen at 10c.

A sleeve 13 is provided and sized to be received endwise on the bat, indirection 14. As shown, its assembly onto the bat is arrested in thesleeve position shown, extending about taper region 11, as well as aboutthe sweet spot region 10 b. The sleeve may, for example, consist offlexible plastic material.

The sleeve has associated retainer means to engage the bat, at taperregion 11, and to resist lengthwise removal of the sleeve off the bat,in direction 14. That retainer means may take the form of an annularretainer ring indicated at 15, FIGS. 14 and 15 show the retainerengaging the bat tapered surface, at 16, with interference, to resistfurther forward movement along the bat. The sleeve 17 is attached to theretainer, or carries the retainer as at 18, so that the sleeve islikewise retained against further forward movement on and along the bat.The attachment 18 may be a bond, or the retainer may be mechanicallyattached to the sleeve, as by a fastener or fasteners. Sleeve materialmay extend between the retainer and the bat.

Retainer 115 is shown in FIG. 17 as generally conical, and as havingconical inner and outer surfaces 15 a and 15 b, FIG. 16 shows themodified retainer 25 as comprising an annular ring 25 a and having acoating 25 b on it, such as a plastic coating, serving to engage the 10bat surface without scoring it. FIG. 18 shows a retainer 26 in the formof a ring, and having an annular recess 26 a. A clamping ring 27 extendsabout recess 26 a, and clamps a portion 13 b of the sleeve into therecess, to secure the sleeve to the retainer 26.

The sleeve 13 in FIGS. 1 and 14 carries a weight or weights 20, spacedforwardly of the retainer 15 at location 116. See space 21 in FIG. 14.That space may be of selected length, and may be almost eliminated toplace the weights very near the retainer; however, as shown, theretainer 15 is located between location 116 and the bat handle. Thatweight or weights may consist of a mass of deformable material such asmetallic granules contained in a pocket or pockets 23 (see in FIG. 14)integral with the sleeve. Such pockets hold the granules in closeconformity to the bat surface at location 116, and the pockets maythemselves be flexible to enhance such conformity, so that the batoverall configuration remains generally the same, whether or not thesleeve is applied and retained. This may be promoted by forming thepockets in elongated, narrow configuration, and spaced about the bat asindicated by the weight locations seen in FIG. 1. The weights arepreferably located adjacent region 116. The pockets may be sewn to thesleeve.

FIG. 2 shows a sleeve 30 received on bat, and held against forwarddislodgement by annular retainer 31. A first device, such as loop 32 isprovided on or attached to the sleeve forward side portion 30 a, forenabling manual pulling of the sleeve forwardly along the bat duringassembly. A second device, such as loop 33, is provided on or attachedto the sleeve rearward side portion 30 b, for enabling manual pulling ofthe sleeve rearwardly along the bat, during disassembly off the bat 34.FIG. 4 shows the conical retainer 31′, similar to 115 and FIG. 3 shows amodified retainer 32′, in the form of a cylinder, similar to 15.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1. The sleeve 13 is split at V-shapededges 13 e and 13 f that extend lengthwise and form a triangle,Stretchable resilient fabric or material such as SPANDEX (elasticsynthetic fabric) is provided at 36, and attached to the sleeve alongthe triangular edges of the sleeve split, of selected length. Thisallows the sleeve to resiliently expand, for reception on a largerdiameter bat, and to fit or adjust to a range of bat diameter sizes.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 8 a schematically show multiple sections 40 a and 40 bof a sleeve assembly 40. Inner sleeve 40 a carries an annular retainerat 41 and weights at 42. Outer section 40 b fits telescopically oversection 40 a, to form the assembly 40. An end portion 40 b′ of 40 b maybe pulled back over the retainer 41 and sewn in position at 43.

FIG. 9 shows a bat 50, with a thickened sleeve 51 fitting over the batsweet spot region. A retainer 52 is attached to the sleeve at its end,and may be attached as during molding of the sleeve, as for example ifit is made of rubber or plastic. Solid metallic weights 53 fit intopockets 54 in the sleeve itself.

FIG. 10 is a cross section that shows an inner sleeve 60 fitting on abat and carrying weights at 61; and an outer sleeve 62 fitting over theinner sleeve. The bat is shown in cross section at 63. FIG. 11 shows aninner sleeve 64 fitting on a bat, and an outer sleeve 65 fitting oversleeve 64 and carrying weights at 66. The weights may be carried inpockets in the sleeves. The sleeve carrying the weights may be firm, andthe sleeve not carrying weights may be flexible.

FIG. 12 shows a sleeve 70 on a bat 71, and removable weights 32 carriedin pockets 74 that can be opened and closed, as via a flap 73. FIG. 13shows a sleeve 80 on a bat 82, with weights 83 extending about, orannularly about the bat axis, and carried by the sleeve. See retainersat 90 in FIGS. 12 and 13.

In FIGS. 19, bat 140 extends through sleeve 141. Weights 142 are carriedby the sleeve as shown, and are spaced about the sleeve axis 143. Anannular metallic retainer 144 is carried by the sleeve, and engages thebat tapered surface 145, at annular edge locus 146, to return the sleeveto the bat as during practice swinging. The bat handle extends indirection 147.

Sleeve material 141 a extends leftwardly beyond the retainer. An insertring 148 of material is located leftwardly of the retainer, inwardly ofmaterial 141 a. Ring 148 may consist of plastic, and acts as a spacer tokeep sleeve end material 141 a from caving in, or bunching, toward thebat, to interfere with bat separation from the sleeve in direction 149.The sleeve and its and material may be flexible. Ring 148 is typicallycarried by the sleeve.

In the FIG. 20 modification, the elements include a sleeve 200 with openends at 200 c and 200 d, weights 201 carried by the sleeve, and spacedabout the sleeve at selected positions. The weights can be solid, orflowable in plastic or fabric bags secured to an inner portion of thesleeve. A ring shaped retainer 202 constructed from any material, orcoated with vinyl or rubber, extends about the sleeve near sleevesmaller end 200 d, to retain the sleeve to the bat, which enters at end200 c. Retainer straps 203 extend crosswise over the retainer, and maybe sewed to the sleeve, to position the retainer and hold it inposition. Sleeve portion 200 a has a greater diameter than sleeveportion 200 b.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 21, the unit comprises a sleeve 210,weights 211 carried by the sleeve, as in FIG. 20, a flap 212 carryingVELCRO 212 a (hook or pile), and sleeve portion 210 a carrying a VELCRO212 b (pile or hook) to receive adjustable attachment to VELCRO 212 a.The attachment 212 a controls the size of the sleeve end portion 210 athat extends closely about the bat, i.e. is retained to the bat, toretain the sleeve and weights to the bat.

The embodiment of FIG. 22 has the following elements: An inner sleevesection 220 of larger diameter to fit various sizes of bat diameters; aninner sleeve section 221 of smaller diameter, to fit over a bat 222, anarrower section 222 a as seen in FIG. 23; and sewn together endjunctions 223 of 220 and 221. See also the sew lines 224 and 225 sleeveend opening 226.

The embodiment of FIG. 23 has the following elements: an outer sleeve230 that fits over inner sleeve 220, weights 231 associated with thesleeve, and carried by Annular retainer 232, Retainer 232 is carried byinner sleeve 202 and has inside wall 232 a. The Retainer can be securedby a fabric piece sewn to inner wall of sleeve. A ring of stiff foam 233or other material acts as a spacer or positioner for an excess fabricend and sleeve inside wall 230 b.

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another embodiment. This embodiment shows thefollowing elements: outer wall sleeve 240; an inner sleeve 241, withlarger diameter section 241 a; weights 242 carried by 240 or 241; ringshaped retainer 243; and straps 244 sewn over the retainer, and ontoeither sleeve, to position the retainer 243. Finally, outer sleeve endslits 245, sewn together to narrow the sleeve end 240 a, effectivelytaper the sleeve to fit a bat taper.

FIG. 25 has the following elements: fabric sleeve 250; cut-outs 251 atone and of 250, which eliminate excess fabric in the retainer are at252; a sew line 253 at sleeve 250; and sleeve end flaps 254, betweencut-outs, to be sewn together as shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 has the following elements associated with FIG. 25: sewntogether edges 255 of flaps 254, to provide a reduced diameter sleevesection 250 a versus the larger diameter sleeve section 250 b, so thatthe unit may fit many different size bat barrels; and weights 256.

FIG. 27 discloses an embodiment having the following elements: an openend sleeve or outer sleeve 260 that fits onto a bat 267; frame 261(plastic or metal) associated with or carried by sleeve 260, to extendabout inserted bat; weights 262 carried by the frame in pockets 262 aand spaced about the bat; a sleeve retainer 263 that extends about thebat, to endwise position the sleeve and frame on the tapered bat, asdescribed above; a frame ring 264, including an inside wall 264 a; anopen area 265; and a foam or added plastic sleeve 266.

FIGS. 28-30 are section views, taken relative to FIG. 27 and show thepositions of weight 262 relative to the frame members. Zone 271 can bean additional plastic sleeve, extending about the frame. Also, theweight pockets can be spaced about the axis 273, between frame members.

Referring now to FIGS. 31 to 34, further alternative embodiments of theinvention are now shown. Referring to FIG. 31, an alternative embodimentcomprises a foam or rubber coated retainer 300 inside a fabric 302.Second separated weighted member 304 is affixed to the first member andextends longitudinally 304 a further down the shaft of the bat when inuse. The weighted members 304 can comprise solid, loose or flowablematerial. Non-exclusive examples of flowable materials may comprisematerials such as steel or metallic balls or shot, pellets, beans, birdseed, sand and the like. The rubber coated retainer 300 is sewn to theknob end 303 of the fabric 302 to help retain the device in place whenin use.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 32 and 32 a, a further alternative theinvention comprises a rubber coated retainer 310 in contact with aweighted material 312. The weighted material 312 is placed in a cavityand comprises a flowable material such as steel balls, pellets, beans,peas and birdseed.

One or more transverse straps 314 are attached in a direction parallelto the longitudinal direction of the bat. The weight may have a fabricor polymeric outer surface 316. Preferably an additional plastic orpolymeric layer 318 divides the outer surface 316 from the weightmaterial 312.

FIGS. 33 a-e illustrates a method for assembling the weight of thepresent invention. Initially, the inner wall fabric 400 is sewntogether. A polymer bag supporting a weight such as steel or a loose orflowable material is then inserted into the fabric 402. A rubber coatedretainer 404 is then applied. Cross straps 408 are then applied forstability. A foam 406 is then applied to prevent wear and a ripping ofthe inner wall fabric 400. Additional outer layers are then applied.These are a layer of fabric 410 covered by a foam layer 412 and thenencapsulated by an extra fabric layer 414. The outer wall fabric slipsover the inner wall retainer and weights 415. The unit is then stitchedtogether 416.

In a further modification, the embodiment includes a flexible seamcomprising SPANDEX (elastic synthetic fiber) or NEOPRENE (syntheticrubber) or similar material. The flexible seam will expand when biggerbarrel bats are entered into the bat swing weight and the seam willcontract when smaller bats are entered into the bat swing weight to fitsnugly to different size barrels. The flexible seam can be any shape andsize. Alternatively, the inner wall of the bat swing weight couldcomprise a flexible material, instead of the inclusion of a flexibleseam.

Referring now to FIGS. 34 a to 34 c, directed to still additionalembodiments where the invention comprises a donut-shaped weight 500. Asshown in FIG. 34 a, the invention comprises a donut-shaped weight havingan inner fabric 502, outer fabric 504 and weighted filler 506, which maycomprise a flexible material 508. A rigid inner band 510 maintains therigidity of the donut.

FIG. 34 b illustrates another donut shaped embodiment, having an outerfabric wall 512, outer donut 514, inner donut 516 and inner fabric wall518. This embodiment includes a filler material 519.

FIG. 34 c is a section view of another donut shaped embodiment showing arubber or vinyl coated metallic donut 520 encased or covered in softfabric 522 and/or including a foam 524. An inner wall 526 and fabric 528is shown.

While the present invention has been described in the context of theabove discussed preferred embodiment, it is to be appreciated that otherembodiments fulfill the spirit and scope of the present invention andthat the true nature and scope of the present invention is to bedetermined with reference to the claims appended hereto.

1. A bat weight for use on a bat having a knob end, a barrel endopposite the knob end and a taper defined along an outer surface betweenthe knob end and the barrel end, a cross-section the bat weightcomprising: a) a longitudinal axis, a first opening at a first end, anda second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the secondopening being larger than the first opening; b) a weighted sectiondefined between the first end and the second end, a portion of whichfurther comprising in cross-section: i) a first layer of material; ii) aweight; iii) a second layer of material; iv) a foam layer; and v) athird layer of material; c) an annular retainer ring secured proximatethe first end for engaging the bat taper upon advancement of the batweight across the bat outer surface from the knob end to the barrel end,the annular retainer ring fixing the dimension of the first openingduring use and non-use of the bat weight relative to a bat such that thefirst opening is not adjustable relative to the bat during use andnon-use of the bat weight relative to a bat; d) the weighted sectionspaced from the annular retainer ring and defined between the annularretainer ring and the second end and further comprising a plurality ofseparate, spaced apart weights secured around the longitudinal axis; ande) wherein centrifugal force during swinging of the bat seats theannular retainer ring against the bat taper.
 2. The bat weight of claim1, wherein the plurality of separate, spaced-apart weights are securedwithin discrete pockets.
 3. The bat weight of claim 1, wherein theplurality of spaced-apart weights are deformable.
 4. The bat weight ofclaim 1, wherein the weighted section is spaced from the second end suchthat the second end is axially deformable relative to the weightedsection.
 5. A bat weight for use on a bat having a knob end, a barrelend opposite the knob end and a taper defined along an outer surfacebetween the knob end and the barrel end, the bat weight comprising: a) alongitudinal axis, a first opening at a first end, a second opening at asecond end opposite the first end; b) a circumferential inner wall offlexible, expandable material defined along the longitudinal axisbetween the first and second ends for positioning adjacent the bat outersurface; c) a weighted section defined by a plurality of separated,spaced apart weights arranged around the circumferential inner wall; d)an outer surface defined over each weight for assisting in the grippingand positioning of the bat weight relative to the bat; and e) anon-adjustable retainer ring secured proximate the first end forengaging the bat taper upon sliding advancement of the tubular sleeveacross the bat outer surface from the knob end to the barrel end, theretainer ring spaced from the weights along the longitudinal axis of thebat weight, the retainer ring being non-adjustable during use andnon-use of the bat weight relative to a bat; f) wherein centrifugalforce during swinging of the bat seats the retainer against the battaper; and g) wherein the weighted section is spaced from the second endsuch that the second end is axially deformable relative to the weightedsection.
 6. The bat weight of claim 5, wherein the plurality ofseparate, spaced-apart weights are secured within discrete pockets. 7.The bat weight of claim 5, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart weightsare deformable.
 8. The bat weight of claim 6, wherein the flexible,expandable material, expandable material is elastic synthetic fiber orsynthetic rubber.
 9. The bat weight of claim 7, wherein the flexible,expandable material, expandable material is elastic synthetic fiber orsynthetic rubber.
 10. A bat weight for use on a bat having a knob end, abarrel end opposite the knob end and a taper defined along an outersurface between the knob end and the barrel end, the bat weightcomprising: a) an elongated tubular sleeve comprising a longitudinalaxis, a first opening at a first end, a second opening at a second endopposite the first end; b) a circumferential inner wall defined alongthe longitudinal axis between the first and second ends for positioningadjacent the bat outer surface; c) a circumferential outer wall definedalong the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends forassisting in the gripping and positioning of the sleeve relative to thebat; d) a layer of foam defined between the circumferential inner walland the circumferential outer wall; e) a non-adjustable retainer ringsecured between the circumferential inner wall and the circumferentialouter wall proximate the first end for engaging the bat taper uponsliding advancement of the tubular sleeve across the bat outer surfacefrom the knob end to the barrel end, the retainer ring beingnon-adjustable during use and non-use of the bat weight relative to abat; and f) a plurality of separated, spaced apart weights arrangedaround the circumferential inner wall and spaced from the retainer ring;g) wherein centrifugal force during swinging of the bat seats theretainer ring against the bat taper.
 11. The bat weight of claim 10,wherein the layer of foam is further defined between the plurality ofseparated, spaced apart weights and the circumferential outer wall. 12.The bat weight of claim 10, wherein the plurality of separated,spaced-apart weights are secured within discrete pockets.
 13. The batweight of claim 10, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart weights aredeformable.
 14. The bat weight of claim 10, wherein the retainer ring isaxially spaced from the first end in the direction of the second end bya distance greater than the thickness of the retainer ring.
 15. The batweight of claim 14, wherein the first end is axially deformable relativeto the retainer ring.
 16. The bat weight of claim 10, wherein the firstend is axially deformable relative to the retainer.
 17. The bat weightof claim 10, wherein the weighted section is spaced from the second endsuch that the second end is axially deformable relative to the weightedsection.